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That is why she can no longer be a member of the Parliamentary Conservative

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That is why she can no longer be a member of the Parliamentary Conservative Party."But Mrs Winterton refused to back down. She issued a statement, saying: "I do not intend to comment about recent events, other than to say it has never been my practice to discuss publicly conversations which took place at a private dinner party in a private flat. The decision by my party's leadership will not impact on my ability or determination to represent my constituents."She appeared briefly on the opposition benches in the Commons during yesterday's Trade and Industry question time, initially sitting near the Ulster Unionist MPs, far from Conservatives.It is the second time Mrs Winterton has earned the fury of the Tory leadership due to her comments on race. In 2002 she was sacked as a frontbencher by Iain Duncan Smith for making a joke about Pakistanis at a rugby club dinner.Yesterday Tony Blair refused to enter the fray. But Mrs Winterton's comments were condemned by Ben Bradshaw, the Fisheries minister, during a visit to the Morecambe Bay cockle beds. He said: "Her comments were appalling and in the worst possible taste, but her future is a matter for the Conservative Party and for Michael Howard.

People will make their own decisions about whether they think any action taken against her is sufficient."Geraldine Smith, Labour MP for Morecambe, added: "She has been an absolute disgrace. Her behaviour is in such a stark contrast to the way local people reacted, which was shock and sadness at such a waste of life."Roland Domleo, a Conservative councillor who is also the leader of Congleton Borough Council, said: "I am just so shocked she has got herself into this situation again. The first joke she made two years ago was tasteless and offensive, but this one is just sick. It's even worse than last time."Last time we put it down to a lack of judgement and she was able to carry on. When someone does the same thing again, you are left thinking.

I'm sure the people of Congleton will be disgusted and will want to know how she could make such a grave error. She has caused great offence and upset a great number of people."Peter Kolker, chairman of the Congleton Conservative Constituency Association, said: "Her remark this week was not even a joke It was racist, unfunny and offensive. She has let herself down very badly and she ought to apologise to the Chinese community and to all the people she offended. It is the local association who chooses candidates and I will have to speak to my colleagues and find out what people think.". Tony Blair endured his most difficult monthly press conference yesterday as he struggled to explain the Labour MP Clare Short's claim that Britain had spied on the United Nations and the collapse of the case against the GCHQ whistleblower Katharine Gun. Since he introduced the televised briefings in June 2002, journalists have tried, but failed, to catch him out.

In his previous monthly showdowns with the media there have been no gaffes and Mr Blair has taken some delight, after the proceedings have gone on for an hour, in asking his tormentors how long they wanted to continue.Yesterday was different. Mr Blair knew that he would face a barrage of questions on Ms Gun's case, which has reopened the controversy over the legal case for the Iraq war. What he had not counted on was Ms Short's spectacular allegation on BBC Radio 4 just four hours before his press conference.It was too late to call off the event, which would have looked even worse. An uncomfortable-looking Mr Blair tried to launch a carefully planned initiative to help Africa, which might normally have madeheadlines. But he admitted at the outset that the reporters would soon be on the attack over Ms Short's comments and Ms Gun's case.The Prime Minister barely concealed his fury as he condemned Ms Short's remarks as "deeply irresponsible" and accused her of threatening the essential security of Britain by attacking the security services He said: "It is wrong and it should not happen. It is as simple as that."He stopped short of issuing a full denial of Ms Short's claim on the grounds that governments did not comment on the work of the intelligence services.

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